Batavia Residents Can Now Access 'Text A Physician' Program

Press release from Batavia Chamber of Commerce:

BATAVIA, IL — The City of Batavia has approved a new community health program intended to improve access to healthcare for residents. Known as Text a Physician (TAP): Batavia’s Access to Care Program, it gives every household and business in Batavia a direct text line to a licensed medical provider. Text a Physician 839-887-0365, is available daily, 7a.m. to 10 p.m.

Through the program, residents can text about common illnesses, minor injuries, prescription refills, and questions about whether a symptom needs to be seen in person. The medical team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, all licensed in Illinois. Providers can diagnose, treat, and send prescriptions directly to a resident's pharmacy, all over text, with no appointment, no app, and no copay. The program also includes one laboratory panel per year for one member of each participating household. The program responds to the Kane County Health Department’s 2024 Community Health Assessment, which named access to care as one of the county's top health priorities, with a focus on making sure every resident can get timely, affordable care. By putting a medical provider a text away, the City aims to help residents get care sooner and avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency room or urgent care.

Batavia is not new to the service. City employees already have access to the same text line, and the City has seen firsthand how it works for its own workforce.

“As a community, we are always looking for ways to improve the quality of life for our residents. The TAP telehealth program expands access to healthcare services, reduces barriers to care, and provides another valuable resource to support the health and well-being of Batavia families.”

Following three community town hall meetings and City Council discussion, the Batavia City Council approved the program at its meeting on Nov. 2. The program begins immediately with 60 days of free service to residents. Beginning Feb. 1, 2027, participating accounts will see the “TAP: Batavia’s Access to Care Program Fee” line item on their City of Batavia utility bill. The monthly participation cost is $9 per household, and one household charge covers up to 10 people living at the address.

Participation is voluntary. Residents and businesses can decline participation at any time starting now using the short form at taptelehealth.com/batavia or by calling the City of Batavia at 630-454-2000. Any account that declines participation within the first 12 months after billing begins will receive a full refund of every program charge billed to that point, provided no household member has used the laboratory panel benefit. After that window, charges end with the next billing cycle rather than being refunded.

The monthly charge is a user fee for the service. It applies only to participating accounts and is optional. The TAP program is available to residents regardless of whether they have health insurance. It is separate from existing insurance coverage and does not replace a person’s regular physician or involve consultation with their existing healthcare providers. It is not an emergency service; residents experiencing a medical emergency should call 911.

The program is available to all residential and business utility account holders.

“We believe the TAP program will be especially helpful for seniors with limited mobility, families with young children, residents without a regular healthcare provider, and those who face transportation or other barriers,” said Newman.

Medical care through TAP: Batavia’s Access to Care Program is provided by TAP, Text a Physician, which serves nearly 800 cities and special districts. For more information, including program details, the decline participation form, and frequently asked questions, visit taptelehealth.com/batavia or text 839-887-0365 to connect with a medical provider.

Batavia is located 35 miles west of Chicago along the banks of the Fox River. Settled in the 1830s, Batavia earned the nickname ‘The Windmill City’ when it was the windmill manufacturing capital of the world at the turn of the 20th Century. Batavia is home to more than 1,200 businesses, including Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory, the U.S. Headquarters of Aldi Inc, and Suncast Corporation. Batavia’s historic charm, excellent school system, and unparalleled recreational and shopping amenities make it a great place to live, work and play for its over 26,000 residents.

TAP, Text a Physician, gives every household one number to text for everyday care, the way 911 gave them one number to call in an emergency. Residents with a sore throat, a rash, or a child’s earache can text between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., seven days a week. A physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner licensed in their state usually replies within two minutes. The care team can diagnose, treat, and send a prescription to the resident’s pharmacy, and they follow up with every patient within 48 hours. Residents don’t need an app, an appointment, insurance, or a copay. TAP partners with local governments so the service is already in place the day a household needs it. It works alongside a resident’s regular doctor, and emergencies still go to 911. A board-certified emergency physician founded TAP to keep families out of the ER for problems a text could handle. TAP serves communities in Illinois, Texas, and South Carolina. Learn more at taptelehealth.com.

This press release was produced by Batavia Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.